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Family history research
Genealogy research at Woodvale
Brighton & Hove City Council has a statutory duty to maintain their Cemeteries and Crematorium Registers in perpetuity. Contained within these books is a wealth of information, which can assist those undertaking the research of their ancestors.
The records date from 1851 until the present day and can provide details of the final resting place of relatives, together with their age, the last known address and the district in which the death was registered - all relevant information for those wishing to learn more about their family. See also family tree research.
This is a list of the cemeteries and crematorium owned and managed by the council:
| Cemetery | Address | Opened |
| Extra-Mural Cemetery | Lewes Road, Brighton |
1851 |
| Brighton Cemetery | Lewes Road, Brighton | 1857 |
| Brighton Cemetery | Bear Road, Brighton | 1868 |
| Portslade Cemetery | Victoria Road, Portslade | 1873 |
| Hove Cemetery | Old Shoreham Road, Hove | 1882 |
| Woodvale Crematorium | Lewes Road, Brighton | 1930 |
| Lawn Memorial Cemetery | Warren Road, Brighton | 1963 |
| Jewish Cemetery Extension | Meadow View, Brighton | 1978 |
Personal enquiries
Research can be undertaken personally by examining the Registers at the Woodvale Lodge, which is open to the public: Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm (except Public Holidays) Car parking, including a bay for disabled people, is available immediately outside the offices.
For personal callers who wish to examine the Indexes to the Registers of burials and cremations the following charges will apply:
| Type of research | Cost |
|---|---|
| For undertaking a search of a named person | £7.00 |
| For undertaking a search of each subsequent person (per named person) | £5.00 |
| For providing a plan of the cemetery, indicating the location of the grave-space | £5.00 |
| For providing a colour digital image of the grave-space (There may not always be a memorial but the grave area will be photographed) | £16.00 |
| For providing a colour image on CD (There may not always be a memorial but the grave area will be photographed) | £16.00 |
It must be appreciated that the Woodvale Lodge is a busy administrative office and you may be requested to vacate the Waiting Room if privacy is required whilst assisting bereaved clients. Any callers may therefore need to be patient whilst awaiting assistance from staff.
Postal enquiries
Researchers unable to personally visit the Woodvale Lodge to search the registers may write to the address given below, noting the appropriate charges that operate for the service required.
| Type of research | Cost |
|---|---|
| For undertaking a search of a named person | £16.00 |
| For undertaking a search of each subsequent person (per named person) | £8.00 |
| For providing a plan of the cemetery, indicating the location of the grave-space | £5.00 |
| For providing a colour digital image of the the grave-space (There may not always be a memorial but the grave area will be photographed) | £16.00 |
| For providing a colour digital image on a CD (There may not always be a memorial but the grave area will be photographed) | £16.00 |
Order form
An order form for genealogy research [pdf 87kb] is available for downloading and printing. Please provide as much information as possible as most of the records need to be examined manually. The full names of the deceased and their date of death will usually provide staff with sufficient detail to carefully search the Registers.
Cheques to be made payable to Brighton & Hove City Council
Should the person named in correspondence be traced, then a summary of the information recorded in the cemetery/crematorium books will be prepared and sent to the correspondent.
Regrettably, in the event of a search being unsuccessful, any fees paid cannot be refunded.
Contacting Bereavement Services
All personal and postal enquiries may be made by contacting Bereavement Services.
If you would like to comment on the Family History Research service we provide, then kindly request a genealogy research pre-paid postcard
Additional information regarding family history research may be obtained from the Brighton History Centre www.citylibraries.info/localhistory or from East Sussex County Council, County Records Office www.eastsussex.gov.uk